| Vitamins (combination of two words: Vital Amines) | | | | Vitamin C |
| are the complex organic substance essential in | | | | Vitamin C or ascorbic acid is a water-soluble, |
| small quantities to the metabolism (nutrition) in | | | | antioxidant vitamin that is vital to the production |
| most animals. These are found in minute quantities | | | | of collagen, a protein that gives structure to |
| in food, in some cases are produced by the body, | | | | bones, cartilage, muscle, and blood vessels. It is |
| and are also produced synthetically. The human | | | | important for keeping body tissues, such as gums |
| body needs them to work properly, so that we | | | | and muscles in good shape and it helps in quick |
| can grow and develop just like we should. Their | | | | healing of wounds. In addition, it helps protecting |
| deficiency results in many serious disorders. | | | | the fat-soluble vitamins A and E as well as fatty |
| Vitamins are divided into two major groups: the | | | | acids from oxidation. |
| 'fat-soluble vitamins' designated as vitamin A, | | | | The vitamin C can be found in citrus fruits (like |
| vitamin D, vitamin E, and vitamin K, and the | | | | lemon & orange), cantaloupe, strawberries, |
| 'water-soluble vitamins' which include vitamin C and | | | | tomatoes, broccoli, cabbage and in other fresh |
| the group of molecules referred to as the vitamin | | | | fruits and vegetables. |
| B complex. Each of them has its own special role | | | | The deficiency of vitamin C affects the healthy |
| in the development of human body. | | | | skin; poor wound healing and can lead to a disease |
| Vitamin A | | | | called "Scurvy" which causes bleeding in gums, |
| Vitamin A, a fat-soluble vitamin, plays a really big | | | | easy bruising, bumps of coiled hair on the arms |
| part in eyesight and helps us to see in dim light | | | | and legs, pain in the joints, muscle wasting, and |
| and also at night. Vitamin A is also involved in the | | | | many other problems. |
| formation and maintenance of healthy skin, hair, | | | | Vitamin D |
| and mucous membranes. In addition, it is | | | | Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that regulates |
| necessary for proper bone growth, tooth | | | | the formation of bone and the absorption of |
| development, reproduction and for the | | | | calcium and phosphorus from the intestine. It helps |
| development of epithelial cells (that line any | | | | to control the movement of calcium between |
| opening to the body e.g.; nose, throat, lungs, | | | | bone and blood, and vice versa. It is this vitamin |
| mouth, stomach, intestines and urinary tract). | | | | you need for strong bones and teeth. In addition |
| Vitamin A can be found in eggs, milk, carrots, | | | | it helps your body absorb the amount of calcium |
| spinach, sweet potatoes, fish oil, liver (pork, lamb, | | | | it needs. |
| chicken, turkey or beef), butter, broccoli, apricots, | | | | Vitamin D can be found in fish liver oil, egg yolks, |
| nectarines, cantaloupe, and orange or yellow | | | | milk and other dairy products fortified with vitamin |
| vegetables or fruits. | | | | D. It is also produced in our body in the presence |
| The deficiency of vitamin A can cause two major | | | | of ultra violet light and sunlight. |
| disorders like: night blindness and drying of skin. | | | | The deficiency of vitamin D can cause weak |
| Vitamin B | | | | bones and bowed legs (in children). And its excess |
| Vitamin B itself is a complex of different vitamins | | | | can cause loss of appetite, weight loss, nausea, |
| like: B1, B2, B6, B12, niacin, folic acid, biotin and | | | | headache, depression and deposits of calcium in |
| pantothenic acid. These B vitamins are very | | | | the kidneys. |
| important in metabolic activity and in facilitating | | | | Vitamin E |
| the red blood cell (which carry oxygen throughout | | | | Vitamin E, a fat-soluble vitamin, is essential for the |
| your body). They also help your body make | | | | inhibition of oxidation in body tissues, formation of |
| protein and energy. | | | | red blood cells, and also prevents breakdown of |
| The sources of vitamin B are leafy green | | | | body tissues. It maintains the body tissues and |
| vegetables seafood, beans, peas, citrus fruits, | | | | protects the lungs from becoming damaged by |
| whole grains (such as wheat and oats), poultry, | | | | polluted air. |
| meats, eggs and dairy products (like milk and | | | | This vitamin can be found in whole grains (such as |
| yogurt). Some bacteria in our large intestine also | | | | wheat and oat), wheat germ, leafy green |
| prepare some type of B-vitamins. | | | | vegetables, sardines, egg yolks, nuts, bread, |
| The deficiency of vitamin B can cause the disease | | | | cereals and seeds. |
| "Beri Beri", cracked lips, weak muscles, | | | | The deficiency of this vitamin can cause many |
| malformation of red blood cells, affects normal | | | | diseases like cancer, diabetes, heart disease, and |
| growth and disturbs the nervous system. | | | | Alzheimer's disease. |